Glens Falls Business Journal

Southern Adirondack Child Care Network Relocates To Provide Expanded Services

May 21, 2024

A ribbon cutting hosted by the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce was held recently to celebrate the relocation of Southern Adirondack Child Care Network to a larger space.

By Rod Bacon

Due to a need for more space, Southern Adirondack Child Care Network recently relocated to 16 Pearl Street in Glens Falls. The move was celebrated on April 24 with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce and well attended by community stakeholders, current and former staff, and board members.

“We moved for a variety of reasons,” said Lynn Sickles, executive director of SACCN. “We were a bit crowded in our old location and the opportunity presented itself to move to a larger space.”

Sickles noted that the organization now has a training room that can be used for the education of child care providers.

Founded in 1992, the network has leased space for many years from Community, Work & Independence (CWI), first at 88 Broad Street and later at 37 Everts Avenue in Glens Falls.

SAIL Partners With BRIDGES To Provide Alternative Care Program For The Disabled

May 21, 2024

Southern Adirondack Independent Living has launched the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPA), a collaborative initiative with BRIDGES, an independent living center situated in Rockland County, New York.

This program is specifically crafted to empower consumers, allowing them to take charge of their own care and oversee their personal assistant.

CDPA represents a paradigm shift, offering a less restrictive level of care as an alternative to the conventional home health care model. Through a strategic partnership with BRIDGES, SAIL is committed to delivering both technical and practical support to individuals living with disabilities or chronic conditions, empowering them to tailor their care based on their unique plans.

In this innovative approach, each individual assumes the role of the employer for their personal assistant. The program is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and older adults who require personal assistance at home.

Queensbury-Based PA Medical Supply Opens A Satellite Location In The Wilton Mall

May 21, 2024

By Christine Graf

PA Medical Supply of Queensbury has opened a second location in the Wilton Mall next to JC Penney. Both stores carry an extensive selection of home medical equipment and soft good orthotics, boasting the largest showrooms and most extensive product selections in the area.

Established in 1995, PA Medical Supply was purchased by Lake George native Michael Gipson in July 2022. Prior to purchasing the business from John Bisceglia, Gipson spent more than a decade working in medical equipment sales.

“I have been in the durable medical equipment industry for about 12 years,” he said. “I started out on the manufacturer side, selling throughout New York state. I worked for one of the largest durable medical equipment manufacturers in the world.”

After working his way up to regional manager for the Northeast, Gipson was promoted to vice president of sales for the company’s pediatric rehab division, a job that required extensive travel.

“I was traveling all over the country almost weekly, and my kids were getting to the age where school and sports were starting. I wanted to be able to stay closer to home,” he said. “I always knew I wanted to own my own business one day, and it got to the point where it was time to make a change.”

Dedicated Home Health Care Aides Serve Growing Elderly Population In Tri-Counties

May 21, 2024

By Susan Elise Campbell

According to Syracuse University’s Lerner Center report, nearly one in six New Yorkers is 65 years or older, and no other population group in the state is growing faster. This means there is a growing dependency on the rest of the community for their care as they continue to age.

One industry strongly advocating for aging seniors is in-home health and personal care. The leadership of Home Instead out of Gansevoort and Greater Adirondack Home Aides in Queensbury share a compassion for and commitment to the elderly and disabled in the three counties they serve: Washington, Warren and Saratoga.

As business entities, these agencies couldn’t be more different. Home Instead is part of a privately held corporation with franchises in multiple countries and brand recognition. President and minority owner of the Gansevoort office, Maureen Hopkins, opened the agency in 2000.

Greater Adirondack Home Aides is a non-profit organization dating back to 1965. Charles Nelson is the executive director responsible to a board of directors who has “a little less freedom” than corporate executives do and with shallower pockets, he said.

Since a surge in health care costs follows an aging population, “New York would prefer that people age at home because it doesn’t have to open more skilled nursing facilities,” said Nelson.

These professionals have similar challenges. One is they are constantly looking to hire caregivers. Another is that sometimes they face obstacles by regulatory bodies in the state.

There are two basic kinds of home care, although functions overlap. Personal care, involving non-medical home care, includes safety supervision for people with dementia or mobility issues, meal preparation, assistance paying bills, companionship, and other everyday tasks that help them maintain their independence.

Architecture Firm Launches A Professional Development Program For Emerging Talent

May 21, 2024

AJA Architecture and Planning has announced the launch of its innovative Professional Development Program, aimed at nurturing emerging talents in the architecture and design industry while actively engaging with the local community. Rooted in a passion for mentorship and guided by a commitment to excellence, this program represents a significant milestone in the firm’s ongoing dedication to fostering the growth and success of future designers.

AJA has recognized the emerging professional’s desire to understand their career path. In 2018, the American Institute of Architects honored the firm with the Fostering Emerging Professionals Award. So much has changed since then. AJA has ramped up its entire approach to professional development to extend beyond its staff to the entire community.

“This recognition from the industry’s premier organization validates our mission and inspires us to continue nurturing the next generation of design leaders,” said Andrew Allison, a principal in the firm.

“Our program was built on the paradigm of ‘learn it, improve it, teach it,’ a philosophy instilled in me by my mentors,” he added. “We have always been committed to developing the skills of our team members, and started to think, why stop there? We decided to extend our program to local high school and college level students interested in the field of architecture, engineering, design, and construction management.”

The program encompasses various initiatives tailored to different stages of professional development:

High School Engagement: Through shadowing AJA helps expose high school students to the world of architecture and engineering, providing valuable insights into potential career paths and college options. This year, AJA has partnered with Hudson Valley Community College as a part of the Smart Scholars Early College High School Program.

“In this area, we’re fortunate to have high schools that have invested in robust programs such as the Smart Scholars ECHS program. To further engage our youth, we’re dedicated to providing them exposure to career opportunities,” Allison noted.

High School Students Display Their Knowledge Of Issues Affecting The Planet In Envirothon

May 21, 2024

Students from area schools study maps as they participate in Envirothon at the Warren County Fish Hatchery.

Dozens of high school students from around Warren County brought their science knowledge to Warren County Fish Hatchery on Wednesday, May 1, as Warren County Soil & Water Conservation District held its annual “Envirothon” science competition.

Seventy students from six school districts – Warrensburg, North Warren, Johnsburg, Lake George, Prospect School and Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES – competed to see who has learned the most about environment-related topics in the hands-on, single-day event. The studying occurs outside, in the woods, at the Fish Hatchery visitor center, and along hatchery trout ponds.

The teams compete against one another on five core Environmental Science topics – wildlife, forestry, aquatic ecology, soil and a “current issue” that changes annually, with this year’s issue chosen to be “Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future.”

Teams prepare for the competition by reviewing core study topics ahead of the event, and having review sessions with Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) staff. The SWCD staff partners with state and local professionals to write and administer exams taken by students during Envirothon.

Warren County Board Of Supervisors Receives Dorothea Dix Community Service Award

May 21, 2024

Warren County supervisors display the Dorothea Dix Community Services Award they received recently from Ascend Mental Wellness.

Members of the Warren County Board of Supervisors were honored May 9 with the Dorothea Dix Community Service Award from Ascend Mental Wellness for dedicating nearly $1.1 million to local mental health care improvements.

The award honored the board for the allocation of money from Warren County’s share of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to nine different initiatives, including expansion of Glens Falls Hospital’s Crisis Unit, funding of new staff for WAIT House and Ascend Mental Wellness, expansion of employee assistance programs and more.

“The Warren County Board of Supervisors is honored to receive the Dorothea Dix Award for Community Service from Ascend Mental Wellness. The need for improved mental health care in Warren County was a constant theme throughout the discussions of how to allocate Warren County’s share of American Rescue Plan Act funding, and we are already seeing that this funding is making a difference in the community through a variety of programs being offered by our partners around Warren County. We know this money will not solve every problem within our mental health care system, but we are gratified to see that it is helping,” said Kevin Geraghty, chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors.

Lake George Queen Boat Company Is Named Newest Dealer For Highfield Boats

May 21, 2024

Highfield sport boats coming this June to Queen Boat Co.

Highfield Boats, the world’s leading manufacturer of aluminum rigid inflatable boats (RIBS) and tenders, has announced that it has added a new boat dealer to its U.S. sales network: Queen Boat Co. on Lake George.

Bolton Landing native Tyler Moseman, recently hired to oversee Highfield North America’s marketing, said, “We see Queen Boat Co. as a great fit to introduce Highfield to the Upstate New York region. They have beautiful facilities, a reputation for providing great customer experience, and a robust service department. All that, coupled with the opportunity to grow the Highfield brand within their Freedom Boat Club, made them a logical partner. I am very excited to work closely with them being a Lake George boater myself.”

Located in Dunhams Bay on Lake George, Queen Boat Co. is a full-service public marina specializing in sales of ePropulsion and Torqeedo electric outboards. In 2023, Queen Boat Co. partnered with Aqua superPower to install the first marine fast charging station in the Northeast. It is also home to the Freedom Boat Club Lake George membership club. A family-owned business, Queen Boat Co. continues to look for innovative products and service offerings to improve the boating experience for existing boaters and the new generation of boaters entering the boating lifestyle.

The Granville Community Foundation Has Awarded Grants To Three Area Organizations

May 21, 2024

The Granville Community Foundation (GCF) has announced that its latest recommendation to award $24,875 of grants for the first half of 2024 has been approved by the Glens Falls Foundation.

“We received grant proposals for $39,875 worth of projects with specific funding requests of $24,875 from the GCF. We’re able to support all $24,875 of these requests and, coupled with our grants made in previous years, we have now made a total of 19 grants totaling $198,144 since starting in 2022”, said Michael Freed, chair of the GCF Advisory Board.

Freed went on to say “These three latest grants are consistent with our goals of funding projects that address community development, education, art and culture, environment, and health and social needs of the greater Granville community. We continue to be inspired by the many initiatives of these nonprofit organizations, and their many dedicated volunteers, and we’re honored to try and assist however we can.”

“The Distribution Committee of the Glens Falls Foundation has received, reviewed and fully supports the recommendation of the GCF Advisory Board to approve these grants and we look forward to the positive impact these, and future grants, will have on the Granville community,” said Laura Vamvalis, business administrator of the Glens Falls Foundation.

The grants awarded are as follows:

Families Can Experience A Part Of The Founding Of America At Fort Ticonderoga

May 21, 2024

Experience the blend of history and natural beauty like nowhere else when you visit Fort Ticonderoga. Explore 2,000-acres of America’s most historic landscape, located on the shores of Lake Champlain, nestled between New York’s Adirondack & Vermont’s Green Mountains. Create lasting memories as you embark on an unforgettable adventure that spans centuries, defined a continent, and helped forge a nation.

Hailed as one of the premier living history sites in North America, Fort Ticonderoga’s staff brings history to life every day. Ticonderoga’s epic history and signature stories are highlighted through innovative story telling on a grand scale, historic trades, daily soldiers’ life programs, thrilling weapons demonstrations, endless outdoor activities, and captivating special events.

This year, Fort Ticonderoga debuts a new chapter in its history. Experience 1774 and the peacetime garrison life for the British soldiers and their families that lived at Fort Ticonderoga 250 years ago.